Lady Cruisers Face Tough Start in 1A Evergreen League Opener, Fall To Montesano 57-43

In a challenging start to the 2024 season, the Eatonville Lady Cruiser basketball team faced a 57-43 defeat against Montesano in the 1A Evergreen League opener.

Eatonville found themselves in early foul trouble, with four of their five starters accumulating three fouls each by halftime. The Cruisers struggled to find their rhythm from the onset, and Montesano took advantage, securing a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter with a score of 17-7.

Montesano continued to dominate in the second quarter, extending their lead to 20 points, leading 36-16 at halftime.

Despite the uphill battle, Eatonville displayed renewed energy in the third quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 15-12. Sara Smith played a pivotal role in this comeback effort, scoring eight of her season-high 12 points in the third quarter.

The Cruisers maintained their momentum in the final frame, outscoring Montesano 12-9. However, their late surge wasn't enough to overcome the deficit, resulting in a 57-43 defeat.

The loss drops Eatonville to 0-1 in league play and an 8-5 overall season record.

Bailey Andersen led the Cruisers with 14 points, while Sara Smith had a standout performance with a season-high 12 points.

Looking ahead, the Eatonville Lady Cruisers aim to regroup and bounce back when they host the Tenino Beavers on Tuesday, Jan. 9th, at 5:30 pm. As they look to even up their league record, the team will need to bring renewed focus and determination to the upcoming matchup.